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Night sky and space: from the stars to Earth's lights

The Milky Way, star trails and auroras photographed from the International Space Station.

8 photos Photo: Andrew Coelho andrewcoelho / Wikimedia Commons (CC0), W.carter / Wikimedia Commons (CC0), Mustang Joe / Wikimedia Commons (CC0), hjrivas / Wikimedia Commons (CC0), NASA/Kjell Lindgren / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain), NASA Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain), ISS Expedition 23 crew / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  1. The Milky Way rises between mountains and is reflected in a lake. 1 / 8
    1. The Milky Way rises between mountains and is reflected in a lake. Photo: Andrew Coelho andrewcoelho / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
  2. A starry sky and lights on the far shore mirrored on a calm fjord. 2 / 8
    2. A starry sky and lights on the far shore mirrored on a calm fjord. Photo: W.carter / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
  3. A night sky full of stars above desert dunes. 3 / 8
    3. A night sky full of stars above desert dunes. Photo: Mustang Joe / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
  4. Circular star trails captured in a long-exposure photograph. 4 / 8
    4. Circular star trails captured in a long-exposure photograph. Photo: hjrivas / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
  5. The Milky Way above Earth's atmospheric glow, seen from the space station. 5 / 8
    5. The Milky Way above Earth's atmospheric glow, seen from the space station. Photo: NASA/Kjell Lindgren / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
  6. Green auroras ripple above the night side of Earth. 6 / 8
    6. Green auroras ripple above the night side of Earth. Photo: NASA Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
  7. A bright green aurora curling above the clouds, seen from orbit. 7 / 8
    7. A bright green aurora curling above the clouds, seen from orbit. Photo: ISS Expedition 23 crew / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
  8. Italy's boot shape outlined by city lights, seen from space at night. 8 / 8
    8. Italy's boot shape outlined by city lights, seen from space at night. Photo: NASA Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)